Best Photo Spots in Grand Teton National Park: Our Complete Guide (with map!)
Located in Northwest Wyoming, Grand Teton National Park is part of the Teton Mountain Range in the Rocky Mountains. Nearby, the town of Jackson is a hub for many visitors exploring the national park. You'll also find Yellowstone National Park just a few miles to the north.
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming is a photographer's dream. Scenic natural beauty comes in the form of rugged, dramatic mountains and pristine lakes that reflect the horizon, and it's not uncommon to spot bears, bison and bald eagles.
Grand Teton National Park is a haven for nature lovers and photographers alike. There's also the chance for hiking, boating and the scenic drive along Teton Park Road. We've put together some of the most impressive spots to stop and photograph the striking scenery that's on display in this amazing national park.
| Photo Spot | Nearest Entrance | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Oxbow Bend | Moran Entrance Station | Offers breathtaking reflections of Mount Moran on the Snake River, particularly fall |
| Schwabacher Landing | Granite Canyon Entrance | The most picturesque views of the Teton Range reflecting in the calm waters |
| Mormon Row | Granite Canyon Entrance | Distinguished by its iconic barns set against the dramatic backdrop of the Tetons |
| Snake River Overlook | Moran Entrance Station | Panoramic views of the winding Snake River with the Grand Tetons as a majestic backdrop |
| Willows Flat Overlook | Moran Entrance Station | Offers expansive views of a wetland area, often dotted with moose, elk, and bears |
| Jenny Lake | Moose Entrance | Renowned for its crystal-clear waters and surrounding hiking trails |
| Inspiration Point | Moose Entrance | Challenging trail that rewards hikers with sweeping views of Jenny Lake and the Teton Range |
| Jackson Lake Overlook | Moran Entrance Station | Offers panoramic views of the vast, shimmering Jackson Lake with a majestic backdrop |
| Chapel of the Transfiguration | Moose Entrance | Famed for its altar window framing the stunning view of the Cathedral Group of peaks |
| String Lake | Moran Entrance Station | A serene lake that offers stunning reflections of the surrounding mountains |
Below, you can see the best photo stops on the map we have created.
1. Oxbow Bend
What makes this photo spot special: Oxbow Bend is known as the most photographed site in Grand Teton National Park. The view of the Snake River with Mount Moran in the background is particularly impressive as the mountain reflects on the water.
How to get there: To get to Oxbow Bend, enter the park from Moran Entrance Station then drive along US-191 N for just under 3 miles. Turn left when you see the Oxbow Bend Turnout.
Best time to visit: If you're visiting in summer, arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to be sure of a parking space at popular stops like Oxbow Bend.
The last week in September, when the trees begin to take on their vibrant yellow and red fall colors, is a popular time to photograph Oxbow Bend.
Fee requirements: An Entrance Pass is required for all visitors. For a private vehicle, a 7-day pass costs $35. If you're arriving on foot or by bicycle, the entrance fee is $20 per person.
Where to park: Just off US-191, there's a paved and signposted turnout.
2. Schwabacher Landing
What makes this photo spot special: Schwabacher Landing is another spot where the often snow-capped Teton Mountains reflect on the calm Snake River.
What makes this spot stand out is the large beaver dam - if you're lucky you'll be able to watch the animals reinforcing the dam while you take in the stunning view.
How to get there: If you haven't done so yet, pay the fee at Granite Canyon Entrance, then continue on Moose Wilson Road for around 7 miles. At Moose, turn right onto Teton Park Road then take a left onto US-191 N. You'll follow this road for 4 miles before turning onto Schwabacher Landing Road.
Best time to visit: The beavers are most active at dawn and dusk, so make an early start if you want the best chance of spotting these illustrious creatures at work.
We recommend visiting in the summer or fall. In winter, the gravel road to Schwabacher Landing can make the road undrivable even before the winter closure which sees the park's roads closed between November and May.
Fee requirements: An Entrance Pass is required for all visitors, costing $35 for a private vehicle or $20 for visitors arriving on foot or bicycle.
If you've already paid park entry to visit Oxbow Bend, you can use the same 7-day pass to access other park entrances including Granite Canyon, which is the closest to Schwabacher Landing.
Where to park: At the end of Schwabacher Landing Road is a gravel car park. The large beaver dam is a short 350-yard hike from the parking lot.
3. Mormon Row
What makes this photo spot special: Mormon Row is a Historic District that was farmed by homesteaders from Salt Lake City as far as the 1890s.
You can still see old barn buildings here, which are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, against the stunning backdrop of the Teton Range.
How to get there: Enter Grand Teton Park at Granite Canyon Entrance and drive along Moose Wilson Road for around 7 miles until you reach Moose. Here, turn onto Teton Park Road then join US Highway 89 N. After a mile turn right onto Antelope Flats Road then continue for almost 2 miles until you reach Mormon Row.
Best time to visit: You can stop to take photos here at any time of the day. You'll be looking west to see the most impressive views of farm buildings against the mountains, so you might prefer to come and take photos earlier in the day when the sun is behind you - unless you're hoping to catch the scene at sunset of course.
The roads to Mormon Row are closed between November and May, but you can travel part of the way along Antelope Flats Road and snowshoe approximately a mile for a different view of the site.
Fee requirements: As with other stunning views of Grand Teton National Park, an entrance pass is required for all visitors, costing $35 for a vehicle or $20 per person.
Where to park: Turn left on Gros Ventre Road to access the Mormon Row North Parking lots, from where you can explore this part of the national park on foot.
4. Snake River Overlook
What makes this photo spot special: American landscape photographer Ansel Adams shot a famous photo from this exact spot, where the Snake River meanders through sagebrush flats while the towering Teton Range stands tall in the background.
How to get there: Use the Moran Entrance Station to enter the national park and turn right onto US-191 S for just under 10 miles until you reach the pull in signposted Snake River, on your right.
Best time to visit: US 191 stays open year-round so if you're here in winter you can achieve distinctive shots of Snake River Overlook with more snow-capped peaks during the colder months. Whatever time of year you visit, a top tip is to call in here at sunrise for the beautiful light.
Fee requirements: An entrance pass costing $35 per vehicle or $20 per person is required if you're visiting Snake River Overlook.
Where to park: Use the paved parking lot on Snake River Overlook, which you'll find just off US-191 when you pull in.
5. Willow Flats Overlook
What makes this photo spot special: The flat marshland is rife with wildlife, so it's common for herds of elk to appear in photographs. You might even get lucky and spot a grizzly bear while you're taking in the view.
Beyond the marshland is Jackson Lake at the foot of the Teton Range, which adds to the photo opportunities in this part of the national park.
How to get there: From the Moran Entrance Station, continue straight onto US-191 N for around 4 miles. After passing a turnout for Lower Willow Flats Overlook, carry on until you reach Willow Flats Overlook, sometimes known as Upper Willow Flats Overlook.
Best time to visit: Early morning and late evening are when animals venture into the marshland, so come at these times if you're hoping to get a photo of the park's wildlife.
US-191 is open year-round, so Willow Flats Overlook is usually accessible throughout the seasons. However, be prepared to spend time outside in the snow if you're visiting in winter.
Fee requirements: To get to Willow Flats Overlook you'll need to pay entry to the national park, costing $35 for a vehicle or $20 for an individual.
Where to park: Alongside US-191 there is a paved turnout where you can pull over and park when you're visiting Willow Flats Overlook.
6. Antelope Flats
What makes this photo spot special: Here you can catch a glimpse of bison, sometimes known as buffalo. Watch out for herds of bison parading the rolling plains below the mountains for an iconic all-American image.
How to get there: Antelope Flats sits east of US-191 and north of Mormon Row, and the whole of this part of the park is a good place to head if you want to take pictures of Grand Teton's impressive wildlife.
Enter Grand Teton National Park via the Granite Canyon Entrance and head north-east along Moose Wilson Road for 7 miles before turning onto Teton Park Road then joining US-191 N. Head past Mormon Row on Antelope Flats Road.
If you're lucky you might see bison grazing at Mormon Row, but if not then just take your time as you carry on along Antelope Flats Road and stop to look north across the Antelope Flats as you travel.
You can also continue left onto Shadow Mountain Road which takes you along the eastern side of the Antelope Flats, then turn left to head back to US-191.
Best time to visit: Unlike other wildlife in Grand Teton National Park, bison tend to graze all through the day so you don't have to get up at the crack of dawn to stand a chance of getting a photograph. However, when visiting in summer the Bison avoid the heat of the day so visit in the afternoon when the mountains offer shade.
From late May into June, you might see bison calves in the park or visit in winter to see these impressive creatures in the snow. However, keep in mind that Antelope Flats Road is closed from November to May and as herds travel greater distances in search of food, your chances of seeing them at this time of year are lower.
Fee requirements: A $35-per-vehicle entrance pass is required for all visitors, or $20 per individual.
Where to park: You can use the Mormon Row car park or carry on further along Antelope Flats Road and pull over on the side of the road if it's safe to do so.
You can leave your vehicle to photograph bison at a distance - a long lens is helpful if you want to get the best shots - but stay safe and photograph them from inside your vehicle if these huge animals are close to the road.
7. Jenny Lake
What makes this photo spot special: In the middle of Grand Teton, Jenny Lake is considered the centerpiece of the park. You can hop on the boat shuttle to reach the west shore, from where you can photograph the lake in the foreground of Jackson Hole.
Alternatively, on the east side, there are dramatic views of Teewinot Mountain.
How to get there: Head past Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center to the Moose Entrance. After driving 7 miles along Teton Park Road, turn left to reach the Jenny Lake Visitor Center.
Best time to visit: Jenny Lake is a popular spot so arrive early to make sure you get a parking space, especially on busy weekends.
Teton Park Road is closed from 1st November to 30th April so you won't be able to get to the area around Jenny Lake. Visitor services begin to shut down earlier in the fall, with the Visitor Center, campground and ranger station at Jenny Lake all closed by the end of September.
Fee requirements: As with other parts of Grand Teton, an Entrance Pass is needed, costing $35 for vehicles or $20 for people entering the park on foot or by bicycle.
Where to park: Just off Teton Park Road is the Jenny Lake Visitor Center with parking.
8. Stepped Inspiration Point Trail
What makes this photo spot special: Starting at Jenny Lake, you can hike through the alpine landscape to reach the popular lookout at Inspiration Point. The higher vantage point makes it a top place to photograph Jenny Lake below and the surrounding scenery.
How to get there: Enter via the Moose Entrance then drive around 7 miles north on Teton Park Road, turning left to the Jenny Lake Visitor Center. From here you can walk around the southern shoreline and then up to Inspiration Point, a nearly 6-mile hike.
To shorten the hike, catch the scenic Jenny Lake Shuttle to the west coast of the lake. Once you arrive at the West Shore Boat Dock, the trail is 1.8 miles.
Best time to visit: You can visit Inspiration Point all through the summer months. However, the length of the walk means that it's not one of the most accessible attractions in the park, so allow ample time and avoid strenuous hikes on hot days.
Note that the boat across Jenny Lake doesn't run between 1st October and 14th May, and for much of this time Jenny Lake will be affected by the winter road closure.
Fee requirements: In addition to the park entrance fee payable by all visitors, there is a round trip cost of $20 per adult to take the boat across Jenny Lake.
Where to park: You can park at the Jenny Lake Visitor Center to access both the boat shuttle and Jenny Lake Trail to Inspiration Point.
9. Jackson Lake Overlook
What makes this photo spot special: If you're driving south into Grand Teton National Park from Yellowstone, it's probably one of the first places you'll stop to appreciate the stunning Teton Range which rises up from the opposite shore.
Located on the east side of Jackson Lake, the overlook is the perfect spot to take unobstructed panoramic photos, with the jagged mountain peaks reflected in the clear lake water.
How to get there: Enter at the Moran Entrance Station and follow US-191 N for 15 miles. After around 20 minutes you'll find the overlook on the left-hand side of the road, right beside the lake.
You can also get here by heading south on US-191 on your way out of Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone's South Entrance is just a 15 minute drive from Jackson Lake Overlook.
Best time to visit: Dusk or dawn are the best times to admire the view here. You'll see the sun reflected in the beautiful lake water and capture beautiful light bouncing off the mountains on the other side of the lake.
It's also when the park is less busy, so you might even be lucky enough to get this amazing view to yourself.
US-191 is open year-round, so there's flexibility with the spot. As with other parts of Grand Teton National Park, popular viewing spots like this one can get busy in the summer months, so visit early in the season (late May or early June) to avoid crowds.
Fee requirements: As with the other photo stops listed here, you'll need to pay for entry to Grand Teton National Park to visit Jackson Lake Overlook.
For most visitors, the cost is $35 for a vehicle and passengers. If you're carrying on from Jackson Lake Overlook to Yellowstone National Park, or traveling from Yellowstone to Grand Teton past Jackson Lake Overlook, you'll have to pay a separate entrance fee in each national park.
For just $10 more you can buy the America the Beautiful annual card which covers both of these national parks, plus most of the others across the country.
Where to park: At the side of the road, there's a turnout with limited parking spaces.
10. Chapel of the Transfiguration
What makes this photo spot special: This rustic log cabin church was built in 1925. The cross on top with views of the tallest Teton peaks makes for an iconic photo.
How to get there: It's a simple and short drive to Chapel of the Transfiguration from Moose Entrance. Drive 0.2 miles on Teton Park Road, then turn right onto Menors Ferry Road. After just 0.6 miles, you'll find a parking lot for the chapel.
Best time to visit: Aim to get to the Chapel of the Transfiguration in the morning, since the mountains become darker and less vivid as the day progresses, especially towards sunset. From May to September, services are held in the chapel on Sunday mornings.
Teton Park Road is closed from 1st November to 30th April so you won't be able to drive right up to the chapel in winter. However, as it's a short trip from the park entrance, you can access it on foot or by bicycle unless the road is significantly snow-covered.
Fee requirements: You'll need to pay for entry to Grand Teton National Park to visit the Chapel of the Transfiguration. As with the other photo stops we've listed, that's $35 per vehicle, but there's no additional fee to pay to visit the chapel itself.
Where to park: At the end of Menors Ferry Road, there's ample parking on a paved lot.
11. String Lake
What makes this photo spot special: The shallow waters of String Lake make it very reflective. As the surrounding mountains are mirrored on the lake water, it makes for a fantastic photo opportunity.
How to get there: From the Moran Entrance Station, continue for just under 3 miles on US-191 N. Take a left turn onto Teton Park Road then follow the road for 10 miles. Take the Jenny Lake Road turning but take a right onto String Lake Road after 1.5 miles to reach String Lake.
Best time to visit: Because the lake is popular with boaters it can be hard to snap a photo without people in the picture, especially during the peak summer season. Arrive early at sunrise to try to get a clean shot.
Fee requirements: The $35-per-vehicle entrance pass is required for all visitors.
Where to park: There's paved parking off String Lake Road which gives good access to views across the lake.
